Fabric laying and folding machine.



M. L. & C. M. SHAPERA. m1111111 LAYING A111) FOLDING 111111111113.

APPLIgATIoN' FILED 11011.11. 190s.

Patented July 12, 1910.

4 QHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. L. & C. M. SHAPERA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

v APPLICATION FILED NOV. l1, 1908. 964,124. Patented Ju1y12,1910.

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M. L. & G. M. SHAPBRA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Nov. 11I 190e. 964,124. l Patented July 12,1910;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. L. sz-c. M. SEMBRA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDINGMAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1v1, 1908.

manned Ju1y12,1910.

pattern.

saire sarna lila . MRRIS L. SI-IAPERA ND CHARLES IVI. SHAPERA, 0FCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FABRIC LAYIN'G AND FOLDING MACHINE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Monnrs L. SHAPERA' and CHARLES M. SHAPERA, citizensof the United States, and residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and Stateo Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fabric Layingand. Folding Machines, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to fabric laying and folding machines, andparticularly contemplates a device which operates entirelyautomatically.

' Machines to the class to which our inveir tion relates are adapted foruse in4 garment making and similar industries where a' large number of'standard pieces are cut simultaneously.

In, order to secure a multitude of pieces,

for instance garment sections, which are precisely alike, it has becomethe custom to fold the fabric back and forth into layers of the formedin accordance with a predetermined It is evident that to so lay andrelay the cloth manually would involve considerable labor in `viewparticularly of the fact that theA layers must frequently be ofconsiderable length. In order to-obviate this diiculty, machines havebeen designed to carry the rimarybolt back and flirth and to thus fliedthe fabric onto the pile. While these devices of the prior art relievedthe operator of a great deal of labor, still constant attendance -wasabsolutely essen-4 tial. The device of our invention requires noattention after having been set into operation until theentire bolt hasbeen properly laid out.

As in the prior structures, the device of our invention 'comprisesessentially a reciprocating carriage and means at each end of the pathfor holding the ends of the pile.

,Our invention provides for the automatic propulsion of the carriage andfor the o eration of the end clamps by the impact o the carriage. It isthis impact of the carriage at the end of the travel that reversesthedirection of the carriage, operates the guiding mechanism forthe end ofthe fold of the fabric, actuatet` the Aend clamping mechanisms to graspthe successive folds of the pile, and operates mechanism to graduallyraise the guiding means as the pile increases.

Our invention is embodied in the structure Mounte illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in whichf Figure 1 is a front elevational tiewthereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is an end elevational.View of the carriage taken on the line w-- of Fig. 1 and looking in thedirection indicated by the arrows 3, 3; Fig. 4 is an end elevationalview of one of the end clamps taken on theline il-w of Fig. 1 andlooking in the direction indicated by the arrows 4, 4; Fig. 5 is asectional detail View on a larger scale taken on the lline -5-5 of Fig.2 and lookin in thel direction indicated by the arrows; ig. 6 is a planview-of the portion shown in detail in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an endelevational detail view on an enlarged scale of part ofthel end clampmechanism; Fig. S is a sectionaldetail view,

4on the same scale as that of Fig. 7 ,taken on theline 8--8 of Fig. 4and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 9 is a`detail View on a larger scale of part of the reversingmechanism t-o bedescribed, being a sectional view taken on the line `9--9V of Fig. 2.Fig. 10 is a detail view on a larger scale of part of the fabricdirecting means to be described, being a front elevational 'Viewthereof. Fig. 11 is a side velevational view of the parts shown in Fig.1l). Fig. 12 is an underside view of the switching mechanism (enlarged),the circuit connections therefor being shown diagranimatically, and Fig.13 is a vertical sectional view of part ofthe carriage and one of theendclam s illustrating a modified form which may ge employed. l

Like reference numerals are applied to the lsame parts throughout thevarious ligures. l

The entire arrangement to be described is mounted upon what iscommonlyknown as a cutting table, indicated at 14 in Fig.4 1, a pair of tracks15, 15 being provided, upon which the carriage may reci rocate. Theprimary supporting element o the carriage comprises the outer uprightside members 16, 16, the inner upright side members 17,

17 and the horizontal frame at the, tops df the side members whichconsists of the'longitudinal members 1818 andthe transverse members 19,v19, these p arts being rigidly secured to ether to form a resistantstructure.

upon shafts 20, 20 b'etweentheh` outer and inner side members are thepairs tracks, as illustrated in the various figures. To secure theautomatic ropulsion of the carriage, we have rovide a motive device,conveniently an e ectrie motor 22, inverted and fastened to the underside of the transverse members 19, 19 of the horizontal frame portion ofthe supporting structure. The rotor of this device 1s provided wlth apmion 23 which meshes with a gear whec 24 rigidly secured upon atransverse shaft 25 journaled in bearings 26, 26 on the longitudinallyextending cross pieces 27, 27 of the upright side members 16 and 17,respectively. Between the side4 members 16 and 17 at each side of themachine this transverse shaft 25 is provided with a sprocket wheel 28which is op ratively connected by means of a sprocket chain 29 wit"k asprocketA wheel 30, preferably of largei diameter than the sprocketwheel 28, rigi, ly concentrically secured to the respective roller endsoy .the oscillating levers 51, 51 are pivwheel 21. Thus the lrotation ofthe motor is transmitted to the roller wheels to cause movement of thecarriage.

On each side of the machine, mounted i-n an enlargement 31 on the crosspiece 27 of the inner side member 17 and thel corresponding longitudinalmember 18 is a screw rod 32, this rod, however, not having threadedengagement with these parts. The screw rod 32 has in threaded engagementtherewith above the member 18, a ratchet wheel 33 and it is by thisengagement that the rod is supported. A. walking lever 34 is llooselypivoted upon the rod 32 and is disposed between the ratchet wheel 33 andvthe member 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, the purpose of this leverbeingv hereinafter clearly pointed out.

At the lower end of each of the screw rodsA 32 there is provided'thesupporting plate 35 and to Ithis plate is pivoted at 36 the end plate 37of a guiding system. Between the two end` plates 37 a rod 38 is spannedand upon his rod is mounted the roller 39. Next this roller is mounted asecond roller 40, the pivot rod 41 thereof being set in the endplatesin. an elongated slot (not shown) to permit, of movement thereoftoward and away .tram the roller 39. Loosely mounted on the pivot rod 41at each end of the roller are the washers 42 with which a coiled spring43 is connected, this spring being fastened at its other end to the endplate. Thus the roller 4() is always maintained. toward the roller 39.

Rigidly secured in symmetrically extend ing ears on theend plates, asshown inl? ig. 5, are the guiding plates 44, 44. llhese plates arearranged to engage the fabric to tuck it beneath the end clamps as willbe explained, the fabric passing downwardly between the rollers 39 and40 as :it passes from the bolt above, as will be explained, under theguide rod 45 secured between the inner cross pieces 27, 27 and over theroller 46 mounted upon the pivot rod 47 mounted parallel and similarlyto the rod 45.

In order to secure the swinging of the guidin mechanism about its pivots36, 36 the fol owingV construction is provided: -Secured between thecross member 27 and the lower cross member of one of the outer sidemembers 16, 16 is a vertical bar 48 having a slot 49 in which anadjustable pivot stud 50 is set. Upon this stud 50 'the oscillatinglevers 51, 51 are pivoted, preferably independently, in such va positionthat the lower ends of each may engage a pin 52 on the outside of theadjacent end plate of the guiding mechanism. These oscillating le versare preferably held in constant engagement -with their respective pins52 by the coil d tension spring 53. At the upper otally connected at 54,54, the reci rocating rods V 5, 55 respectively, these ro's looselysliding in bearings 55, 55, between the inner and outer" side plates 17and 16, respectively. The rods 55, 55 are provided attheir free ends.with the heads 56, 56

the purpose of which will be hereinafter pointed out. It is, of course,apparent that this lever arrangement may be provided at either one orboth sides of the machine, but we have, for the purposes of adisclosure, merely shown it upon one side.

It will become apparent as' the descrip,

tion proceeds that the best `operation of the machine requires a gradualrise in the oscillating mechanism during the working thereof. To securethis result the following construction is provided: Pivoted at 57, 57 inthe lower cross bar of the outer side member 16 at each side of thescrew rod 32, are the rocking levers 58, 58, having the inwardly turnedportions 59, 59 so as to be pivoted at 60, 60 to the opposite ends ofthe horizontal walking levers 34. Mounted upon the reciprocating rods55, 5 5 are the adjustable lingersy 61, 61 disposed in path to engagethe rocking levers 58, 58. It is apparent now that inward movement ofone of the rods 55, 55 will cause the linger carried thereby to engagethe corresponding rocking lever 58 to effect a considerable oscillationof the walking lever 34. The eX- tent of this oscillation. may be gagedby the to the member 18 and engages the ratchet to form a catch toprevent retraction and to insure positive and determined movement. It isevident that repeated reciprocation oi the rods 55, 5 will eliect thegradual rise of the guiding mechanism; rotation of the screw bar 32being prevented b the mechl 18, which rotation is effected by the leverand pawl arrangement, will cause a rise of the screw bar. This mechanismbeing provided on.each side ofthe machine, the guidino' mechanism willrise uniformly on both si es. When it is desired to lower the guidingmechanism the pawl 62 and the spring catch 64 are withdrawn manually andthe ratchet wheel rotated in the opposite direction. Since, in thedevice, as herein illustratcd, the shifting mechanism comprisingoscillating levers 51, 51 is provided at but one side of the machine, it1s apparent that the reciprocating bars 55, 55 of the opposite side maybe attached directly to the rocking bars 58, 58 and the heads 56, 56thereof may be adjusted solas to get the proper movement. Upon thehorizontal frame portion of the structural support an auxiliary frame 65is provided, and itis upon this auxiliary frame that the bolt` fromwhich the fabric is fed rests. On each side of this frame upwardlyextending arms G6, 6G are provided which carry at the upper ends a pivotrod (37 upon which a roller 68 is mounted. The fabric is passed overthis roller and then over a roller 69 mounted upon a. pivot rod 70secured in the brace 71 of the horizontal frame, and from this rollerthe fabric passes under the cross rod 45 and so on as has heretoforebeen described. In order to direct the fabric we provide the followingarrangement: One of the transverse members 19, preferably the onenearest directly below the roller 68, has mounted thereon a supportingblock 72 which has a downwardly extending port-ion through which bolts 73, 73 may pass and through the slot 74 in the downwardly extendinportion of the transverse bar. Thus adjustmentof the block is madepossible according, as'will be noticed, to the widths of the fabrics,the slot being of suiicient length to meet the standard requirements.This block is formed to support the radiating arms 75, 7G, and 77, thearm 75 extending toward, and having'a hook extending over the roller'68, the arm 76 extending toward and having a hook extend- "we providemeans for reversing 'the direction of the electric motor employed'forpropulsion. To secure this reversal the poles of the motor are changedby way of a pole changing switch 78 secured to the under side of thetransverse bars 19, as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 12 we have shown anunderside view of the same lwherein the contacts 79, 79 and the movableelement 80 is illustrated. The switch is there shown diagramniaticallyand may beof any ordinary pole changing type whereby, when in oneposition, the current passes through the mo'tor connected therewith asshown on the figure in a certain direction while in the other positionit passes therethrough in the opposite direction. A line switch 7 8:L isprovided so that the carriage may be started and stopped as desired. Tosecure this reversal there is provided the shifting bar 81 which `slidesupon the transverse members 19 and carries a brace 82 which hasdownwardly extending therefrom a fork 88 with which the handle of-'themovable element 80 of the switch 78 engages. It is apparent thatshifting the rod will causemnvement of the switch. To secure thismovement in one direction the following construction 'isprovidedz Thebar 81 extends in'to the brace 84 on the end of the horizontal frame ofthe primary struc-' ture and is provided with a head 85. In alinementwith this head and on the outside of the brace is secured a plunger case86 in which a plunger rod 87 slides. clearly shown inF ig. 9. The rod 87has a transverse pin 88 inside the case and a helical spring 89 isdisposed about the rod between the pin and the inner end of the case.

A head 90 is provided for the rod and the 'the outside of the brace 71in alinement with the plate 94 and for the same purpose, thus providingmeans for shifting the switch in the opposite direction.

ln order to maintain count of the number of layers in the pile of fabricbeing formed, we provide a cyclometer 95 upon one of lthe side members16, the operating element 96,

thereof being arranged to strike a fellow member 97 disposed in itspath. This operating element is effected when the carriage passes ineither direction so an accurate record may be kep't.

So that the pile may be kept taut and compact we have arranged oppositeend This is A spring plunger arrangement 3; pact which secures theactuation of the operative parts of the carriage. i These end clampslare alike and the same reference numerals `have been applied relatively1n each. This primary supporting structure is a U-shaped frame 98.

an abutment 99 in alinemcnt with the plunger mechanism for operatingthe' switching mechanism as indicated in dotanddash lines in Fig. 1.Thus when the carriage passes in one direction. the plunger strikes theapproached abutment, the switch is thereby shifted as has beendescribed. and the motor operates oppositely to propel the carriage inthe reverse direction. The carriage then approaches the opposite abut.-ment and repeats as has been pointed out.

To'secure operation of the mechanism for vswinging the guidingarrangement and for giving the same the gradual. rise, we provide lugs100, 100 extending inwardly from the frame 98 into alinenicnt with therespective heads 56, 156 of the reciprocating bars 55, 55. These lugsare, or course, placed in proper position relative to the abutment 99,4and 'when struck by the heads 5G, 56 upon the vapproach of the carriagecause the inward movement of the rods 55, 55. The effect 4of suchmovement of the rods has already been described.

Pivoted to the inner sides of the frame 98 is the U-shaped clampingframe 101 which has at its tree end a series of teeth 102 in alinementand adapted to rest upon the pile of fabrics as shown in Fig. 1, aspring 103 being provided to increase the clamping action. To raise this'frame a cam 1011 is disposedunder each of the side arms thereof, beingsecured upon a rotatable shaft 105 by a set screw 100. This shaft ismounted in the 'frame proper and an'cxtension 107 thereon and extendsbeyond the frame proper toreceive a cog wheel 108 loosely mountedthereon and a ratchet 109 secured thereto.A A pawl 110 is pivoted uponthe cog wheel 108 and is held in engagement with the ratchet by thespring 111. Thus movement of the cog wheel in the direction off thearrow (Fig. 7) would carry the ratchet by way of the pawl to eiectmovevment of the cam to raise the clamp, while mov'ement in the oppositedirection would not/affect the cam. To operate the cog wheel a co bar112, mounted in the wa s 113 on' the rame 98 by means of the bots 114,is.

provlded, this bar having cogs for mesh with the Wheel and a blankportionI which the wheel may escape. This cog bar 112 is provided with atoell in alinement with a portion ofthe side member 16 of the 'car-4riage as indicated in' dot-and-dashlines in Fig. 1. A spring 117 betweenthe bar and Each frame carries.

the frame tends to retain the bar and wheel in normal position and theapproach of the carriage to the end structure causes the 011-' gagementof the member 16r with the toe 115 to move the cog bar againstthetension.

of the spring 117 to rotate the cog Wheel in the direction of the arrow.As has been explained such rotation would eect the movement of the camto raise the clampin frame. This movement would continue unt' the blankportion 118 of the bar 112 reaches the cog wheel. The wheel wouldimmediately be released regardless of the further movement of thecarriage and the cams would drop back to allow the clamp to drop uponthe pile. A stop 119 is provided as the limit of return movement of theUpright guides 120 may be provided to prevent lateral displacement ofthe clamping frame.v

The opposing end structures may be spaced any distance apart to suit therequirements, bein tracks 15 to reep t-he structures in alinement, andmay be secured Y in the predetermined position by clamping bolts 121,121. y

rIhe operation of the machine may be scmmarized as follows: The bolt offabric is placed on the frame 65 and the fabric is then passed over therollers G8 and 69, ander 'the rod 45, over the roller 4G, between therollers 39 and 4:0 and the end then paced under one of the clampingframes 101. The carriage is then run away from that frame. When itcollides with the oppositel :trame the guiding mechanism is swung and atthat instant the cam 104 raises the clamping iframe. W'hile the eectualguiding plate A is in its swung position the cogs on the cog baar 112pass the cog wheel 108 and the cam may drop back as has been explained,and the clamping frame will lower, the teeth thereof passing through theslots 122, provided the guiding plates to grasp the fabric. Thusit isseen that the movement of the cam is very rapidand the lowerin thereoijIis practically instantaneous, this owerin taking place while the clothis being tuclre under and .while the carriage is practically inert atthe end of its stroke. Durinff this operation the .motor has beenreversed and the carriage "proceeds in the opposite directio-n torepeatthe eycle'i-of operations.

In Fig. 13 we havesillustrated a modified form of end clampfarranementpwhich may be employed.` this clamping frame`101is with a roller123 whic -is' arrayed to ride vup antrack 124 pivotally secure at 124t0is of such length thatthe ame dropswhen' preferably movable on the enathe swangng rodediat each sidey z the f'abric fold is tuckedunder,jprecisely as 1n the case hereinbefore explained, and 1n thereturn of the carriage the roller passes under and incidentally raisesthe track 124."k

By this arrangement the cog and bar arrange*A ment is unnecessary.- Therise of the clamp ing frame issecured at the proper time and the suddendrop of the clamp is secured at the proper instant.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desirecovered by Letters Patent, is:

l. Ina fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage,a pair of guiding plates hung upon a common pivot on said carriage,means for guiding the fabric between said plates, a clamp at each end ofthe travel of said carriage, and means whereby said plates may be swungin one direction at one end of the travel of said carriage to guide thefabric into the corresponding clamp and whereby said plates may be swungin the other direction at the other end of the travel of said carriageto guide the fabric into the other clamp.

2. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, ar'eciprocating carriage,a pair of guiding plates hung upon a common pivot on said carriage,means for yguiding the fabric between said plates, a clamp ateach end ofthe travel of said carriage, an abutment at each end of thetravel ofsaid carriage, and mechanism carried by said carriage and operative uponcollision with said abutment and mechanically connected with said platesto swing the same to guide the fabric into the clamp toward which thecarriage is connected with said guiding moving. p

' 3. In a fabric Vlaying machine, in combination, a reciprocatingcarriage,a pivoted supporting member'mounted upon said carriage, guidingplates carried by said member, oscillating levers hung upon a commonpivot on said carriage, means for maintaining said levers in effectiveyrelation to said supporting member, an actuating member slidably mountedin said carriage and connected with said oscillating levers, a stationary abutment member with which said actuating membermay collide tooperate said guiding plates, a clamp mounted on said abutment member,and means carried upon said abutment member for operating said clamp,said means being actuated by collision therewith of said carriage.

' 4. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocatingcarriage, two clamps between which said carriage reciprocates, a pair ofactuatingguiding plates hung on a common pivot on said carriage, astationary abutment at each end ofthe travel of said carriage, anactuating abutmentmember plates and -arranged to collide with one o saidstationary abutments, and mechanism for raising said guiding. platesoperated by periodic mechanical connection with said actuating abutmentmember.

5. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage,two clamps between which said carriage reciprocates, a pair of guidingplates hung upon a common pivot,- screw threaded rods for sup* portingsaid guiding plates carried in said carriage, a ratchet wheel threadedon each -of said rods and engagingffthe carriage proper to form asupporting member, means for actuating said guiding plates, andmechanism operated by said actuating means for rotating said ratchetwheels to raise said guiding plates.

G. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageframe, two clamps between which said carriage frame operates, twovertical screw rods passing through openings in said frame, a ratchetwheel mounted on each of said rods and engaging said frame to form asupporting member, a pair of guiding yplates pivotally mounted betweenthe lower ends of said screw rods, actuating means for swinging saidguiding plates at the end of the travel of said carriage, pawl mechanismassociated with said ratchet wheel, and means con-f nected 'with saidactuating means for operating said pawl mechanism periodically to raisesaid guiding plates.

7. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageframe, two clamps between which said carriage frame reciprocates, asupporting member pivot ally mounted in said frame, a pair of`guicl--ing plates mounted on said supporting meufber, a pair of independentlymoving oscillating levers mounted on a common pivot and associated withsaid plates, and means for actuating said levers to swing said plates toguide the fabric into the approached clamp. 4

8. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageframe, two clamps between which said carriage frame reciprocates, asupporting member pivotally mounted in saidframe, means fornraising saidsupporting member, a pair ofvg'uiding plates mounted on said supportingmember, means for guiding the fabric between` said plates, a pair ofindependently moving oscillating levers mounted on a common pivot andassociated with said plates, and means for actuating said levers toswing said plates to guide the fabric into the approached clamp.

9. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageframe, two clamps between/which said carriage frame operates, asupporting member pivotally mounted in said frame, means for raisingsaid supporting member, a pair of guiding plates rigidly mounted side byside on said supporting member, means for guiding the fabric betweensaid plates, a pair of mdependently moving oscillating levers mountedona common pivot and associated with said plates, spring means foryieldingly holdin said levers in direct association with 'said p ates,and means for actuating said levers, one in one direction and the otherin the opposite direction, to swing said plates to guide the fabric intothe approached clamp.

10. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageframe, two

' clamps between which said carriage frame operates, a supporting memberpivotally mounted on said carriage frame, a paii` of guiding platesrigidly mounted parallel to each other in said supporting member, a

roller disposed between said plates, a second roller, and spring meansfor maintaining said rollers in close relation to rest-rain fabrio fedtherebetween.

11.'. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocatingcarriage frame, two;

clamps between .which said carriage frame operates, a pair of supportingrods hanging symmetrically and laterally opposite in sai frame, asupporting member pivotally hung at the lower endoi' each of Vsaid rods,a pair of guiding plates rigidly mounted parallel to each other betweensaid supporting members, means for swinging said supporting members, andmeans for raising salcl supporting members together.

seance for placing a tension thereon, and directing means on saidcarriage engaging the edges of the fabric at several places forpreventing lateral displacement thereof.

13. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriageforca ingthe bolt from whiclrthe fabric is to e fe an abutment structurewith which said carriage is arranged to collide, a motor for propellingsaid carriage, a pole changing switch for controlling said motor, andmeans operable by the impact for actuating said switch to reverse theaction of the motor.

14. In a cloth laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage,a motor for propelling said carriage, a pole changing switch forcontrolling the direction of said motor, a sliding frame Vmounted onsaid carriage and connected with said switch, spring plunger mechanismassociated with sai frame at each end thereof, and a stationlaryabutment member at each end of the travel of said carriage with whichthe respective plunger is arranged to collide whereby said frame ismoved, to reverse said switch.

15. The combination with a support, of a fabric supplyin means7 acarriage adapted to move along'tie support provided with fabric guidingmeans, means mounted on the carriage for positively driving the carriagein either direction, said means including a motor, and connectionsbetween the motor and the supporting wheels of the carriage to drive thelatter, together with means for reversing the direction of movement ofsaid carriage.

ln winess whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER S, Bann.

